Obscuring elements based on browser focus

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system for hiding conversation elements. The system accesses a conversation interface of a messaging application on a web browser and presents the conversation interface in a window associated with the web browser. The conversation interface comprises a plurality of conversation elements. The system accesses a focus status of the window and, in response to determining that the focus status indicates that the window has lost focus, obscures a first subset of the plurality of conversation elements.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to accessing online servicesusing a browser.

BACKGROUND

Messaging applications allow users to communicate with each other in avariety of different ways. Users can send chat messages to one or moreother users. Users can also access certain group pages and view and postcontent to such pages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. To easily identifythe discussion of any particular element or act, the most significantdigit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number inwhich that element is first introduced. Some nonlimiting examples areillustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a networked environment inwhich the present disclosure may be deployed, in accordance with someexamples.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a messaging clientapplication, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a data structure asmaintained in a database, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a message, in accordance withsome examples.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a conversation obscuringsystem, in accordance with some examples.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrammatic representations of outputs of theconversation obscuring system, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating example operations of theconversation obscuring system, according to some examples.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions may be executed forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a software architecture within whichexamples may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows includes systems, methods, techniques,instruction sequences, and computing machine program products thatembody illustrative examples of the disclosure. In the followingdescription, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide an understanding of various examples.It will be evident, however, to those skilled in the art, that examplesmay be practiced without these specific details. In general, well-knowninstruction instances, protocols, structures, and techniques are notnecessarily shown in detail.

With the wide-spread use of mobile devices, such as smart phones andtablets, many online services are provided as standalone client-sideapplications designed for use with mobile devices rather than aswebsites that are accessed using a traditional web browser (e.g.,Chrome). For example, messaging applications are typically implementedas client-side application executing on mobile devices to enable endusers to communicate with each other while the users are on the move.While being able to use an online service from any location providesflexibility and convenience, in some cases users may prefer to accessthe service using a traditional web browser. For example, duringtraditional working hours many users are using a desktop or laptopcomputer for prolonged periods of time. In these cases, accessing anonline service via a web-browser may be more convenient as users do nothave to toggle between devices and may be prohibited from installingclient-side applications to their work computers.

An additional reason that users may prefer to access an online serviceusing a web browser is that it allows users to multitask by easilytoggling between multiple windows and web browser tabs. Due to thelimited display size on mobile devices, client-side applicationsexecuted on mobile devices are presented one at a time. In contrast,multiple windows can be displayed concurrently when using a desktop orlaptop computer. Users can toggle between them by simply selecting awindow to bring it into focus.

The ability to view multiple windows on a screen simultaneously may bepresent challenges, however, when implementing a web-browser basedversion of an online service rather than a client-side applicationversion for a mobile device. For example, some online services maypresent confidential and/or private data that should be hidden when notbeing actively viewed by a user. When implemented as a client-sideapplication on a mobile device, any private data that is presented isnaturally hidden when the user navigates to another application asmobile devices present one application at a time. In contrast, theprivate data may remain visible in a web-browser based implementation asa window can remain visible, even when not in focus (e.g., active use)by the user. Accordingly, confidential and or private data may beunintentionally compromised.

Some online services may implement ephemeral functionality that istriggered when content is viewed (e.g., seen) by a user. For example, amessaging service may be designed to automatically delete messages orother shared content after the content is viewed by a user or athreshold period of time after the content is viewed by the user. Thisfunctionality may be inadvertently triggered in a web-browser basedimplementation even though the user did not actually view the content.For example, the content may appear in a window that is not in focuswhile the user's is working or viewing another window. As a result,content may be deleted prior to it being viewed by the user.

The disclosed techniques solve these technical issues by providingintelligence that ensures that the same level of privacy, security,protection, and functionality that is offered by accessing anapplication on mobile devices is maintained cross platform when theapplication is accessed using a web-browser. For example, a web-browserbased version of an application can be designed to obscure or restrictcertain features/content when certain conditions are met, such asdetecting that the window in which the application is being presented isnot in focus. As an example, certain conversation features presented bya messaging application can be restricted from being viewed or accessedwhen the messaging application detects that a window in which aconversation interface of the messaging application is presented is notin focus. As another example, financial data presented by a financialapplication may be restricted from being viewed or accessed when thewindow in which the financial application is presented is not in focus.This protects private data from being viewed by another user or capturedvia a screenshot, as well as prevents ephemeral functionality from beinginadvertently triggered. In this way, the level of privacy, security,protection, and functionality users expect when accessing theapplication is maintained cross-platform.

In these ways, the techniques described herein improve the efficiency ofusing the electronic device and the overall experience of the user inusing the electronic device.

Networked Computing Environment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example messaging system 100 forexchanging data (e.g., messages and associated content) over a network.The messaging system 100 includes multiple instances of a client device102, each of which hosts a number of applications, including a messagingclient 104 and other external applications 109 (e.g., third-partyapplications). Each messaging client 104 is communicatively coupled toother instances of the messaging client 104 (e.g., hosted on respectiveother client devices 102), a messaging server system 108 and externalapp(s) servers 110 via a network 112 (e.g., the Internet). A messagingclient 104 can also communicate with locally-hosted third-partyapplications (also referred to as “external applications” and “externalapps”) 109 using Application Program Interfaces (APIs).

In some examples, the client device 102 can include AR glasses or an ARheadset in which virtual content is displayed within lenses of theglasses while a user views a real-world environment through the lenses.For example, an image can be presented on a transparent display thatallows a user to simultaneously view content presented on the displayand real-world objects.

A messaging client 104 (e.g., client-side application or web-browser) isable to communicate and exchange data with other messaging clients 104and with the messaging server system 108 via the network 112. The dataexchanged between messaging clients 104, and between a messaging client104 and the messaging server system 108, includes functions (e.g.,commands to invoke functions) as well as payload data (e.g., text,audio, video or other multimedia data).

The messaging server system 108 provides server-side functionality viathe network 112 to a particular messaging client 104. While certainfunctions of the messaging system 100 are described herein as beingperformed by either a messaging client 104 or by the messaging serversystem 108, the location of certain functionality either within themessaging client 104 or the messaging server system 108 may be a designchoice. For example, it may be technically preferable to initiallydeploy certain technology and functionality within the messaging serversystem 108 but to later migrate this technology and functionality to themessaging client 104 where a client device 102 has sufficient processingcapacity.

The messaging server system 108 supports various services and operationsthat are provided to the messaging client 104. Such operations includetransmitting data to, receiving data from, and processing data generatedby the messaging client 104. This data may include message content,client device information, geolocation information, media augmentationand overlays, message content persistence conditions, social networkinformation, and live event information, as examples. Data exchangeswithin the messaging system 100 are invoked and controlled throughfunctions available via user interfaces of the messaging client 104.

Turning now specifically to the messaging server system 108, an APIserver 116 is coupled to, and provides a programmatic interface to,application servers 114. The application servers 114 are communicativelycoupled to a database server 120, which facilitates access to a database126 that stores data associated with messages processed by theapplication servers 114. Similarly, a web server 128 is coupled to theapplication servers 114 and provides web-based interfaces to theapplication servers 114. To this end, the web server 128 processesincoming network requests over the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)and several other related protocols.

The API server 116 receives and transmits message data (e.g., commandsand message payloads) between the client device 102 and the applicationservers 114. Specifically, the API server 116 provides a set ofinterfaces (e.g., routines and protocols) that can be called or queriedby the messaging client 104 in order to invoke functionality of theapplication servers 114. The API server 116 exposes various functionssupported by the application servers 114, including accountregistration; login functionality; the sending of messages, via theapplication servers 114, from a particular messaging client 104 toanother messaging client 104; the sending of media files (e.g., imagesor video) from a messaging client 104 to a messaging server 118, and forpossible access by another messaging client 104; the settings of acollection of media data (e.g., story); the retrieval of a list offriends of a user of a client device 102; the retrieval of suchcollections, the retrieval of messages and content; the addition anddeletion of entities (e.g., friends) to an entity graph (e.g., a socialgraph); the location of friends within a social graph; and opening anapplication event (e.g., relating to the messaging client 104).

The application servers 114 host a number of server applications andsubsystems, including, for example, a messaging server 118, an imageprocessing server 122, and a social network server 124. The messagingserver 118 implements a number of message processing technologies andfunctions, particularly related to the aggregation and other processingof content (e.g., textual and multimedia content) included in messagesreceived from multiple instances of the messaging client 104. As will bedescribed in further detail, the text and media content from multiplesources may be aggregated into collections of content (e.g., calledstories or galleries). These collections are then made available to themessaging client 104. Other processor- and memory-intensive processingof data may also be performed server-side by the messaging server 118,in view of the hardware requirements for such processing.

The application servers 114 also include an image processing server 122that is dedicated to performing various image processing operations,typically with respect to images or video within the payload of amessage sent from or received at the messaging server 118.

Image processing server 122 is used to implement scan functionality ofthe augmentation system 208 (shown in FIG. 2 ). Scan functionalityincludes activating and providing one or more AR experiences on a clientdevice 102 when an image is captured by the client device 102.Specifically, the messaging client 104 on the client device 102 can beused to activate a camera. The camera displays one or more real-timeimages or a video to a user along with one or more icons or identifiersof one or more AR experiences. The user can select a given one of theidentifiers to launch the corresponding AR experience or perform adesired image modification (e.g., launching an AR experience, asdiscussed in connection with FIGS. 6-10 below).

The social network server 124 supports various social networkingfunctions and services and makes these functions and services availableto the messaging server 118. To this end, the social network server 124maintains and accesses an entity graph 308 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) withinthe database 126. Examples of functions and services supported by thesocial network server 124 include the identification of other users ofthe messaging system 100 with which a particular user has relationshipsor is “following,” and also the identification of other entities andinterests of a particular user.

Returning to the messaging client 104, features and functions of anexternal resource (e.g., a third-party application 109 or applet) aremade available to a user via an interface of the messaging client 104.The messaging client 104 receives a user selection of an option tolaunch or access features of an external resource (e.g., a third-partyresource), such as external apps 109. The external resource may be athird-party application (external apps 109) installed on the clientdevice 102 (e.g., a “native app”), or a small-scale version of thethird-party application (e.g., an “applet”) that is hosted on the clientdevice 102 or remote of the client device 102 (e.g., on externalresource or app(s) servers 110). The small-scale version of thethird-party application includes a subset of features and functions ofthe third-party application (e.g., the full-scale, native version of thethird-party standalone application) and is implemented using amarkup-language document. In one example, the small-scale version of thethird-party application (e.g., an “applet”) is a web-based,markup-language version of the third-party application and is embeddedin the messaging client 104. In addition to using markup-languagedocuments (e.g., a .*ml file), an applet may incorporate a scriptinglanguage (e.g., a .*js file or a .json file) and a style sheet (e.g., a.*ss file).

In response to receiving a user selection of the option to launch oraccess features of the external resource (e.g., external app 109), themessaging client 104 determines whether the selected external resourceis a web-based external resource or a locally-installed externalapplication. In some cases, external applications 109 that are locallyinstalled on the client device 102 can be launched independently of andseparately from the messaging client 104, such as by selecting an icon,corresponding to the external application 109, on a home screen of theclient device 102. Small-scale versions of such external applicationscan be launched or accessed via the messaging client 104 and, in someexamples, no or limited portions of the small-scale external applicationcan be accessed outside of the messaging client 104. The small-scaleexternal application can be launched by the messaging client 104receiving, from an external app(s) server 110, a markup-languagedocument associated with the small-scale external application andprocessing such a document.

In response to determining that the external resource is alocally-installed external application 109, the messaging client 104instructs the client device 102 to launch the external application 109by executing locally-stored code corresponding to the externalapplication 109. In response to determining that the external resourceis a web-based resource, the messaging client 104 communicates with theexternal app(s) servers 110 to obtain a markup-language documentcorresponding to the selected resource. The messaging client 104 thenprocesses the obtained markup-language document to present the web-basedexternal resource within a user interface of the messaging client 104.

The messaging client 104 can notify a user of the client device 102, orother users related to such a user (e.g., “friends”), of activity takingplace in one or more external resources. For example, the messagingclient 104 can provide participants in a conversation (e.g., a chatsession) in the messaging client 104 with notifications relating to thecurrent or recent use of an external resource by one or more members ofa group of users. One or more users can be invited to join in an activeexternal resource or to launch a recently-used but currently inactive(in the group of friends) external resource. The external resource canprovide participants in a conversation, each using a respectivemessaging client messaging clients 104, with the ability to share anitem, status, state, or location in an external resource with one ormore members of a group of users into a chat session. The shared itemmay be an interactive chat card with which members of the chat caninteract, for example, to launch the corresponding external resource,view specific information within the external resource, or take themember of the chat to a specific location or state within the externalresource. Within a given external resource, response messages can besent to users on the messaging client 104. The external resource canselectively include different media items in the responses, based on acurrent context of the external resource.

The messaging client 104 can present a list of the available externalresources (e.g., third-party or external applications 109 or applets) toa user to launch or access a given external resource. This list can bepresented in a context-sensitive menu. For example, the iconsrepresenting different ones of the external applications 109 (orapplets) can vary based on how the menu is launched by the user (e.g.,from a conversation interface or from a non-conversation interface).

In some examples, the messaging client 104 is accessed on a web browserapplication, such as a web browser implemented on a desktop computer orother client device 102. The messaging client 104 provides aconversation interface for display on the web browser application. Insuch cases, certain functions and features of the messaging client 104can be restricted or obscured when certain conditions are met. Forexample, the messaging client 104 accesses focus status or stateinformation from the web browser application. The focus status or stateinformation indicates whether a web browser window and/or tab that ispresenting messaging client 104 is in focus. A web browser window and/ortab is in focus when the graphical user interface window or tab ispresented at the front by the underlying operating system and can beactively engaged with by a user through use of the various input devicesof the client device 102. In contrast, a window or tab is not in focuswhen another window, tab, or other computing element (e.g., desktop) isin focus and can be actively engaged with by a user. A window or tab maybe brought in and out of focus by selection of the window by a user orselection of another window, tab, or computing element.

Based on the focus state or status, the messaging client 104 updates thedisplay of the conversation interface to conditionally obscure orrestrict access to certain conversation elements. In some cases, themessaging client 104 obscures a first subset of conversation elements inresponse to receiving a focus status or state information indicatingthat a window of the web browser application in which the conversationinterface is displayed is not in focus. In some cases, the messagingclient 104 modifies one or more display properties of a second subset ofconversation elements in response to receiving focus status or stateinformation indicating that a window of the web browser application inwhich the conversation interface is displayed is not in focus. Themessaging client 104 may update the display of the conversationinterface again to unobscured any obscured elements in response toreceiving a focus status or state information indicating that the windowof the web browser application in which the conversation interface isdisplayed is in focus. In some examples, in addition to, or alternativeto, obscuring, restricting, or modifying opacity of content that isdisplayed, the content can be removed in its entirety.

Further details of the functions performed by the messaging client 104are discussed below, in FIGS. 2 and 5 , in connection with theconversation obscuring system 224. While the present disclosuredescribes the concept of adjusting the display of a web-browser windowor tab based on the focus state in relation to a messaging application,this is just one example and is not meant to be limiting. Similartechniques can be used in relation to any variety of online service thatis provided through a web-browser application, such as financialservice, online retail service, and the like.

System Architecture

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details regarding themessaging system 100, according to some examples. Specifically, themessaging system 100 is shown to comprise the messaging client 104 andthe application servers 114. The messaging system 100 embodies a numberof subsystems, which are supported on the client side by the messagingclient 104 and on the sever side by the application servers 114. Thesesubsystems include, for example, an ephemeral timer system 202, acollection management system 204, an augmentation system 208, a mapsystem 210, a game system 212, an external resource system 220, and aconversation obscuring system 224.

The ephemeral timer system 202 is responsible for enforcing thetemporary or time-limited access to content by the messaging client 104and the messaging server 118. The ephemeral timer system 202incorporates a number of timers that, based on duration and displayparameters associated with a message, or collection of messages (e.g., astory), selectively enable access (e.g., for presentation and display)to messages and associated content via the messaging client 104. Furtherdetails regarding the operation of the ephemeral timer system 202 areprovided below.

The collection management system 204 is responsible for managing sets orcollections of media (e.g., collections of text, image video, and audiodata). A collection of content (e.g., messages, including images, video,text, and audio) may be organized into an “event gallery” or an “eventstory.” Such a collection may be made available for a specified timeperiod, such as the duration of an event to which the content relates.For example, content relating to a music concert may be made availableas a “story” for the duration of that music concert. The collectionmanagement system 204 may also be responsible for publishing an iconthat provides notification of the existence of a particular collectionto the user interface of the messaging client 104.

The collection management system 204 furthermore includes a curationinterface 206 that allows a collection manager to manage and curate aparticular collection of content. For example, the curation interface206 enables an event organizer to curate a collection of contentrelating to a specific event (e.g., delete inappropriate content orredundant messages). Additionally, the collection management system 204employs machine vision (or image recognition technology) and contentrules to automatically curate a content collection. In certain examples,compensation may be paid to a user for the inclusion of user-generatedcontent into a collection. In such cases, the collection managementsystem 204 operates to automatically make payments to such users for theuse of their content.

The augmentation system 208 provides various functions that enable auser to augment (e.g., annotate or otherwise modify or edit) mediacontent associated with a message. For example, the augmentation system208 provides functions related to the generation and publishing of mediaoverlays for messages processed by the messaging system 100. Theaugmentation system 208 operatively supplies a media overlay oraugmentation (e.g., an image filter) to the messaging client 104 basedon a geolocation of the client device 102. In another example, theaugmentation system 208 operatively supplies a media overlay to themessaging client 104 based on other information, such as social networkinformation of the user of the client device 102. A media overlay mayinclude audio and visual content and visual effects. Examples of audioand visual content include pictures, texts, logos, animations, and soundeffects. An example of a visual effect includes color overlaying. Theaudio and visual content or the visual effects can be applied to a mediacontent item (e.g., a photo) at the client device 102. For example, themedia overlay may include text, a graphical element, or image that canbe overlaid on top of a photograph taken by the client device 102. Inanother example, the media overlay includes an identification of alocation overlay (e.g., Venice beach), a name of a live event, or a nameof a merchant overlay (e.g., Beach Coffee House). In another example,the augmentation system 208 uses the geolocation of the client device102 to identify a media overlay that includes the name of a merchant atthe geolocation of the client device 102. The media overlay may includeother indicia associated with the merchant. The media overlays may bestored in the database 126 and accessed through the database server 120.

In some examples, the augmentation system 208 provides a user-basedpublication platform that enables users to select a geolocation on a mapand upload content associated with the selected geolocation. The usermay also specify circumstances under which a particular media overlayshould be offered to other users. The augmentation system 208 generatesa media overlay that includes the uploaded content and associates theuploaded content with the selected geolocation.

In other examples, the augmentation system 208 provides a merchant-basedpublication platform that enables merchants to select a particular mediaoverlay associated with a geolocation via a bidding process. Forexample, the augmentation system 208 associates the media overlay of thehighest bidding merchant with a corresponding geolocation for apredefined amount of time. The augmentation system 208 communicates withthe image processing server 122 to obtain AR experiences and presentsidentifiers of such experiences in one or more user interfaces (e.g., asicons over a real-time image or video or as thumbnails or icons ininterfaces dedicated for presented identifiers of AR experiences). Oncean AR experience is selected, one or more images, videos, or ARgraphical elements are retrieved and presented as an overlay on top ofthe images or video captured by the client device 102. In some cases,the camera is switched to a front-facing view (e.g., the front-facingcamera of the client device 102 is activated in response to activationof a particular AR experience) and the images from the front-facingcamera of the client device 102 start being displayed on the clientdevice 102 instead of the rear-facing camera of the client device 102.The one or more images, videos, or AR graphical elements are retrievedand presented as an overlay on top of the images that are captured anddisplayed by the front-facing camera of the client device 102.

In other examples, the augmentation system 208 is able to communicateand exchange data with another augmentation system 208 on another clientdevice 102 and with the server via the network 112. The data exchangedcan include a session identifier that identifies the shared AR session,a transformation between a first client device 102 and a second clientdevice 102 (e.g., a plurality of client devices 102 include the firstand second devices) that is used to align the shared AR session to acommon point of origin, a common coordinate frame, and functions (e.g.,commands to invoke functions) as well as other payload data (e.g., text,audio, video or other multimedia data).

The augmentation system 208 sends the transformation to the secondclient device 102 so that the second client device 102 can adjust the ARcoordinate system based on the transformation. In this way, the firstand second client devices 102 synch up their coordinate systems andframes for displaying content in the AR session. Specifically, theaugmentation system 208 computes the point of origin of the secondclient device 102 in the coordinate system of the first client device102. The augmentation system 208 can then determine an offset in thecoordinate system of the second client device 102 based on the positionof the point of origin from the perspective of the second client device102 in the coordinate system of the second client device 102. Thisoffset is used to generate the transformation so that the second clientdevice 102 generates AR content according to a common coordinate systemor frame as the first client device 102.

The augmentation system 208 can communicate with the client device 102to establish individual or shared AR sessions. The augmentation system208 can also be coupled to the messaging server 118 to establish anelectronic group communication session (e.g., group chat, instantmessaging) for the client devices 102 in a shared AR session. Theelectronic group communication session can be associated with a sessionidentifier provided by the client devices 102 to gain access to theelectronic group communication session and to the shared AR session. Inone example, the client devices 102 first gain access to the electronicgroup communication session and then obtain the session identifier inthe electronic group communication session that allows the clientdevices 102 to access to the shared AR session. In some examples, theclient devices 102 are able to access the shared AR session without aidor communication with the augmentation system 208 in the applicationservers 114.

The map system 210 provides various geographic location functions andsupports the presentation of map-based media content and messages by themessaging client 104. For example, the map system 210 enables thedisplay of user icons or avatars (e.g., stored in profile data 316) on amap to indicate a current or past location of “friends” of a user, aswell as media content (e.g., collections of messages includingphotographs and videos) generated by such friends, within the context ofa map. For example, a message posted by a user to the messaging system100 from a specific geographic location may be displayed within thecontext of a map at that particular location to “friends” of a specificuser on a map interface of the messaging client 104. A user canfurthermore share his or her location and status information (e.g.,using an appropriate status avatar) with other users of the messagingsystem 100 via the messaging client 104, with this location and statusinformation being similarly displayed within the context of a mapinterface of the messaging client 104 to selected users.

The game system 212 provides various gaming functions within the contextof the messaging client 104. The messaging client 104 provides a gameinterface providing a list of available games (e.g., web-based games orweb-based applications) that can be launched by a user within thecontext of the messaging client 104 and played with other users of themessaging system 100. The messaging system 100 further enables aparticular user to invite other users to participate in the play of aspecific game by issuing invitations to such other users from themessaging client 104. The messaging client 104 also supports both voiceand text messaging (e.g., chats) within the context of gameplay,provides a leaderboard for the games, and supports the provision ofin-game rewards (e.g., coins and items).

The external resource system 220 provides an interface for the messagingclient 104 to communicate with external app(s) servers 110 to launch oraccess external resources. Each external resource (apps) server 110hosts, for example, a markup language (e.g., HTML5) based application orsmall-scale version of an external application (e.g., game, utility,payment, or ride-sharing application that is external to the messagingclient 104). The messaging client 104 may launch a web-based resource(e.g., application) by accessing the HTML5 file from the externalresource (apps) servers 110 associated with the web-based resource. Incertain examples, applications hosted by external resource servers 110are programmed in JavaScript leveraging a Software Development Kit (SDK)provided by the messaging server 118. The SDK includes APIs withfunctions that can be called or invoked by the web-based application. Incertain examples, the messaging server 118 includes a JavaScript librarythat provides a given third-party resource access to certain user dataof the messaging client 104. HTML5 is used as an example technology forprogramming games, but applications and resources programmed based onother technologies can be used.

In order to integrate the functions of the SDK into the web-basedresource, the SDK is downloaded by an external resource (apps) server110 from the messaging server 118 or is otherwise received by theexternal resource (apps) server 110. Once downloaded or received, theSDK is included as part of the application code of a web-based externalresource. The code of the web-based resource can then call or invokecertain functions of the SDK to integrate features of the messagingclient 104 into the web-based resource.

The SDK stored on the messaging server 118 effectively provides thebridge between an external resource (e.g., third-party or externalapplications 109 or applets and the messaging client 104). This providesthe user with a seamless experience of communicating with other users onthe messaging client 104, while also preserving the look and feel of themessaging client 104. To bridge communications between an externalresource and a messaging client 104, in certain examples, the SDKfacilitates communication between external resource servers 110 and themessaging client 104. In certain examples, a Web ViewJavaScriptBridgerunning on a client device 102 establishes two one-way communicationchannels between an external resource and the messaging client 104.Messages are sent between the external resource and the messaging client104 via these communication channels asynchronously. Each SDK functioninvocation is sent as a message and callback. Each SDK function isimplemented by constructing a unique callback identifier and sending amessage with that callback identifier.

By using the SDK, not all information from the messaging client 104 isshared with external resource servers 110. The SDK limits whichinformation is shared based on the needs of the external resource. Incertain examples, each external resource server 110 provides an HTML5file corresponding to the web-based external resource to the messagingserver 118. The messaging server 118 can add a visual representation(such as a box art or other graphic) of the web-based external resourcein the messaging client 104. Once the user selects the visualrepresentation or instructs the messaging client 104 through a graphicaluser interface (GUI) of the messaging client 104 to access features ofthe web-based external resource, the messaging client 104 obtains theHTML5 file and instantiates the resources necessary to access thefeatures of the web-based external resource.

The messaging client 104 presents a GUI (e.g., a landing page or titlescreen) for an external resource. During, before, or after presentingthe landing page or title screen, the messaging client 104 determineswhether the launched external resource has been previously authorized toaccess user data of the messaging client 104. In response to determiningthat the launched external resource has been previously authorized toaccess user data of the messaging client 104, the messaging client 104presents another GUI of the external resource that includes functionsand features of the external resource. In response to determining thatthe launched external resource has not been previously authorized toaccess user data of the messaging client 104, after a threshold periodof time (e.g., 3 seconds) of displaying the landing page or title screenof the external resource, the messaging client 104 slides up (e.g.,animates a menu as surfacing from a bottom of the screen to a middle ofor other portion of the screen) a menu for authorizing the externalresource to access the user data. The menu identifies the type of userdata that the external resource will be authorized to use. In responseto receiving a user selection of an accept option, the messaging client104 adds the external resource to a list of authorized externalresources and allows the external resource to access user data from themessaging client 104. In some examples, the external resource isauthorized by the messaging client 104 to access the user data inaccordance with an OAuth 2 framework.

The messaging client 104 controls the type of user data that is sharedwith external resources based on the type of external resource beingauthorized. For example, external resources that include full-scaleexternal applications (e.g., a third-party or external application 109)are provided with access to a first type of user data (e.g., onlytwo-dimensional (2D) avatars of users with or without different avatarcharacteristics). As another example, external resources that includesmall-scale versions of external applications (e.g., web-based versionsof third-party applications) are provided with access to a second typeof user data (e.g., payment information, 2D avatars of users, 3D avatarsof users, and avatars with various avatar characteristics). Avatarcharacteristics include different ways to customize a look and feel ofan avatar, such as different poses, facial features, clothing, and soforth.

The conversation obscuring system 224 monitors a focus state of adisplay of a conversation interface of the messaging client 104 whensuch a display is presented on a web browser implemented on a particulartype of client device 102, such as a desktop computer. The conversationobscuring system 224 conditionally alters display properties ofconversation elements of the conversation interface based on the focusstate. Conversation elements can include user identifiers, chat inputregions, messages exchanged, presence or user status indicators, phonecall status indicators and options for placing phone calls, group names,and various other conversation related information. While the presentdisclosure describes the concept of adjusting the display of aweb-browser window or tab based on the focus state in relation toconversation elements, this is just one example and is not meant to belimiting. Similar techniques can be used in relation to any variety ofonline service that is provided through a web-browser application, suchas financial service, online retail service, and the like. For example,in financial services applications, financial elements, such aspersonally identifying information (PII) and other account information,can be obscured.

In some cases, the conversation obscuring system 224 blocks, restricts,or obscures certain conversation elements of the conversation interfacebased on the focus state (e.g., when the conversation interface displayis not currently in focus). In this way, the conversation obscuringsystem 224 preserves the privacy, security, and protection of themessaging client 104 when the messaging client 104 is accessed ondifferent types of devices (e.g., cross platform).

Data Architecture

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating data structures 300, whichmay be stored in the database 126 of the messaging server system 108,according to certain examples. While the content of the database 126 isshown to comprise a number of tables, it will be appreciated that thedata could be stored in other types of data structures (e.g., as anobject-oriented database).

The database 126 includes message data stored within a message table302. This message data includes, for any particular one message, atleast message sender data, message recipient (or receiver) data, and apayload. Further details regarding information that may be included in amessage, and included within the message data stored in the messagetable 302, are described below with reference to FIG. 4 .

An entity table 306 stores entity data and is linked (e.g.,referentially) to an entity graph 308 and profile data 316. Entities forwhich records are maintained within the entity table 306 may includeindividuals, corporate entities, organizations, objects, places, events,and so forth. Regardless of entity type, any entity regarding which themessaging server system 108 stores data may be a recognized entity. Eachentity is provided with a unique identifier, as well as an entity typeidentifier (not shown).

The entity graph 308 stores information regarding relationships andassociations between entities. Such relationships may be social,professional (e.g., work at a common corporation or organization),interested-based, or activity-based, merely for example.

The profile data 316 stores multiple types of profile data about aparticular entity. The profile data 316 may be selectively used andpresented to other users of the messaging system 100, based on privacysettings specified by a particular entity. Where the entity is anindividual, the profile data 316 includes, for example, a user name,telephone number, address, and settings (e.g., notification and privacysettings), as well as a user-selected avatar representation (orcollection of such avatar representations). A particular user may thenselectively include one or more of these avatar representations withinthe content of messages communicated via the messaging system 100, andon map interfaces displayed by messaging clients 104 to other users. Thecollection of avatar representations may include “status avatars,” whichpresent a graphical representation of a status or activity that the usermay select to communicate at a particular time.

Where the entity is a group, the profile data 316 for the group maysimilarly include one or more avatar representations associated with thegroup, in addition to the group name, members, and various settings(e.g., notifications) for the relevant group.

The database 126 also stores augmentation data, such as overlays orfilters, in an augmentation table 310. The augmentation data isassociated with and applied to videos (for which data is stored in avideo table 304) and images (for which data is stored in an image table312).

The database 126 can also store data pertaining to individual and sharedAR sessions. This data can include data communicated between an ARsession client controller of a first client device 102 and another ARsession client controller of a second client device 102, and datacommunicated between the AR session client controller and theaugmentation system 208. Data can include data used to establish thecommon coordinate frame of the shared AR scene, the transformationbetween the devices, the session identifier, images depicting a body,skeletal joint positions, wrist joint positions, feet, and so forth.

Filters, in one example, are overlays that are displayed as overlaid onan image or video during presentation to a recipient user. Filters maybe of various types, including user-selected filters from a set offilters presented to a sending user by the messaging client 104 when thesending user is composing a message. Other types of filters includegeolocation filters (also known as geo-filters), which may be presentedto a sending user based on geographic location. For example, geolocationfilters specific to a neighborhood or special location may be presentedwithin a user interface by the messaging client 104, based ongeolocation information determined by a Global Positioning System (GPS)unit of the client device 102.

Another type of filter is a data filter, which may be selectivelypresented to a sending user by the messaging client 104, based on otherinputs or information gathered by the client device 102 during themessage creation process. Examples of data filters include currenttemperature at a specific location, a current speed at which a sendinguser is traveling, battery life for a client device 102, or the currenttime.

Other augmentation data that may be stored within the image table 312includes AR content items (e.g., corresponding to applying ARexperiences). An AR content item or AR item may be a real-time specialeffect and sound that may be added to an image or a video.

As described above, augmentation data includes AR content items,overlays, image transformations, AR images, and similar terms that referto modifications that may be applied to image data (e.g., videos orimages). This includes real-time modifications, which modify an image asit is captured using device sensors (e.g., one or multiple cameras) of aclient device 102 and then displayed on a screen of the client device102 with the modifications. This also includes modifications to storedcontent, such as video clips in a gallery that may be modified. Forexample, in a client device 102 with access to multiple AR contentitems, a user can use a single video clip with multiple AR content itemsto see how the different AR content items will modify the stored clip.For example, multiple AR content items that apply different pseudorandommovement models can be applied to the same content by selectingdifferent AR content items for the content. Similarly, real-time videocapture may be used with an illustrated modification to show how videoimages currently being captured by sensors of a client device 102 wouldmodify the captured data. Such data may simply be displayed on thescreen and not stored in memory, or the content captured by the devicesensors may be recorded and stored in memory with or without themodifications (or both). In some systems, a preview feature can show howdifferent AR content items will look within different windows in adisplay at the same time. This can, for example, enable multiple windowswith different pseudorandom animations to be viewed on a display at thesame time.

Data and various systems using AR content items or other such transformsystems to modify content using this data can thus involve detection ofobjects (e.g., faces, hands, bodies, cats, dogs, surfaces, objects,etc.), tracking of such objects as they leave, enter, and move aroundthe field of view in video frames, and the modification ortransformation of such objects as they are tracked. In various examples,different methods for achieving such transformations may be used. Someexamples may involve generating a 3D mesh model of the object or objectsand using transformations and animated textures of the model within thevideo to achieve the transformation. In other examples, tracking ofpoints on an object may be used to place an image or texture (which maybe 2D or 3D) at the tracked position. In still further examples, neuralnetwork analysis of video frames may be used to place images, models, ortextures in content (e.g., images or frames of video). AR content itemsthus refer both to the images, models, and textures used to createtransformations in content, as well as to additional modeling andanalysis information needed to achieve such transformations with objectdetection, tracking, and placement.

Real-time video processing can be performed with any kind of video data(e.g., video streams, video files, etc.) saved in a memory of acomputerized system of any kind. For example, a user can load videofiles and save them in a memory of a device or can generate a videostream using sensors of the device. Additionally, any objects can beprocessed using a computer animation model, such as a human's face andparts of a human body, animals, or non-living things such as chairs,cars, or other objects.

In some examples, when a particular modification is selected along withcontent to be transformed, elements to be transformed are identified bythe computing device and then detected and tracked if they are presentin the frames of the video. The elements of the object are modifiedaccording to the request for modification, thus transforming the framesof the video stream. Transformation of frames of a video stream can beperformed by different methods for different kinds of transformation.For example, for transformations of frames mostly referring to changingforms of an object's elements, characteristic points for each element ofan object are calculated (e.g., using an Active Shape Model (ASM) orother known methods). Then, a mesh based on the characteristic points isgenerated for each of the at least one elements of the object. This meshis used in the following stage of tracking the elements of the object inthe video stream. In the process of tracking, the mentioned mesh foreach element is aligned with a position of each element. Then,additional points are generated on the mesh. A set of first points isgenerated for each element based on a request for modification, and aset of second points is generated for each element based on the set offirst points and the request for modification. Then, the frames of thevideo stream can be transformed by modifying the elements of the objecton the basis of the sets of first and second points and the mesh. Insuch a method, a background of the modified object can be changed ordistorted as well by tracking and modifying the background.

In some examples, transformations changing some areas of an object usingits elements can be performed by calculating characteristic points foreach element of an object and generating a mesh based on the calculatedcharacteristic points. Points are generated on the mesh and then variousareas based on the points are generated. The elements of the object arethen tracked by aligning the area for each element with a position foreach of the at least one elements, and properties of the areas can bemodified based on the request for modification, thus transforming theframes of the video stream. Depending on the specific request formodification, properties of the mentioned areas can be transformed indifferent ways. Such modifications may involve changing color of areas;removing at least some part of areas from the frames of the videostream; including one or more new objects into areas which are based ona request for modification; and modifying or distorting the elements ofan area or object. In various examples, any combination of suchmodifications or other similar modifications may be used. For certainmodels to be animated, some characteristic points can be selected ascontrol points to be used in determining the entire state-space ofoptions for the model animation.

In some examples of a computer animation model to transform image datausing face detection, the face is detected on an image with use of aspecific face detection algorithm (e.g., Viola-Jones). Then, an ASMalgorithm is applied to the face region of an image to detect facialfeature reference points.

Other methods and algorithms suitable for face detection can be used.For example, in some examples, features are located using a landmark,which represents a distinguishable point present in most of the imagesunder consideration. For facial landmarks, for example, the location ofthe left eye pupil may be used. If an initial landmark is notidentifiable (e.g., if a person has an eyepatch), secondary landmarksmay be used. Such landmark identification procedures may be used for anysuch objects. In some examples, a set of landmarks forms a shape. Shapescan be represented as vectors using the coordinates of the points in theshape. One shape is aligned to another with a similarity transform(allowing translation, scaling, and rotation) that minimizes the averageEuclidean distance between shape points. The mean shape is the mean ofthe aligned training shapes.

In some examples, a search is started for landmarks from the mean shapealigned to the position and size of the face determined by a global facedetector. Such a search then repeats the steps of suggesting a tentativeshape by adjusting the locations of shape points by template matching ofthe image texture around each point and then conforming the tentativeshape to a global shape model until convergence occurs. In some systems,individual template matches are unreliable, and the shape model poolsthe results of the weak template matches to form a stronger overallclassifier. The entire search is repeated at each level in an imagepyramid, from coarse to fine resolution.

A transformation system can capture an image or video stream on a clientdevice (e.g., the client device 102) and perform complex imagemanipulations locally on the client device 102 while maintaining asuitable user experience, computation time, and power consumption. Thecomplex image manipulations may include size and shape changes, emotiontransfers (e.g., changing a face from a frown to a smile), statetransfers (e.g., aging a subject, reducing apparent age, changinggender), style transfers, graphical element application, and any othersuitable image or video manipulation implemented by a convolutionalneural network that has been configured to execute efficiently on theclient device 102.

In some examples, a computer animation model to transform image data canbe used by a system where a user may capture an image or video stream ofthe user (e.g., a selfie) using a client device 102 having a neuralnetwork operating as part of a messaging client 104 operating on theclient device 102. The transformation system operating within themessaging client 104 determines the presence of a face within the imageor video stream and provides modification icons associated with acomputer animation model to transform image data, or the computeranimation model can be present as associated with an interface describedherein. The modification icons include changes that may be the basis formodifying the user's face within the image or video stream as part ofthe modification operation. Once a modification icon is selected, thetransformation system initiates a process to convert the image of theuser to reflect the selected modification icon (e.g., generate a smilingface on the user). A modified image or video stream may be presented ina graphical user interface displayed on the client device 102 as soon asthe image or video stream is captured and a specified modification isselected. The transformation system may implement a complexconvolutional neural network on a portion of the image or video streamto generate and apply the selected modification. That is, the user maycapture the image or video stream and be presented with a modifiedresult in real-time or near real-time once a modification icon has beenselected. Further, the modification may be persistent while the videostream is being captured and the selected modification icon remainstoggled. Machine-taught neural networks may be used to enable suchmodifications.

The GUI, presenting the modification performed by the transformationsystem, may supply the user with additional interaction options. Suchoptions may be based on the interface used to initiate the contentcapture and selection of a particular computer animation model (e.g.,initiation from a content creator user interface). In various examples,a modification may be persistent after an initial selection of amodification icon. The user may toggle the modification on or off bytapping or otherwise selecting the face being modified by thetransformation system and store it for later viewing or browse to otherareas of the imaging application. Where multiple faces are modified bythe transformation system, the user may toggle the modification on oroff globally by tapping or selecting a single face modified anddisplayed within a GUI. In some examples, individual faces, among agroup of multiple faces, may be individually modified, or suchmodifications may be individually toggled by tapping or selecting theindividual face or a series of individual faces displayed within theGUI.

A story table 314 stores data regarding collections of messages andassociated image, video, or audio data, which are compiled into acollection (e.g., a story or a gallery). The creation of a particularcollection may be initiated by a particular user (e.g., each user forwhich a record is maintained in the entity table 306). A user may createa “personal story” in the form of a collection of content that has beencreated and sent/broadcast by that user. To this end, the user interfaceof the messaging client 104 may include an icon that is user-selectableto enable a sending user to add specific content to his or her personalstory.

A collection may also constitute a “live story,” which is a collectionof content from multiple users that is created manually, automatically,or using a combination of manual and automatic techniques. For example,a “live story” may constitute a curated stream of user-submitted contentfrom various locations and events. Users whose client devices havelocation services enabled and are at a common location event at aparticular time may, for example, be presented with an option, via auser interface of the messaging client 104, to contribute content to aparticular live story. The live story may be identified to the user bythe messaging client 104, based on his or her location. The end resultis a “live story” told from a community perspective.

A further type of content collection is known as a “location story,”which enables a user whose client device 102 is located within aspecific geographic location (e.g., on a college or university campus)to contribute to a particular collection. In some examples, acontribution to a location story may require a second degree ofauthentication to verify that the end user belongs to a specificorganization or other entity (e.g., is a student on the universitycampus).

As mentioned above, the video table 304 stores video data that, in oneexample, is associated with messages for which records are maintainedwithin the message table 302. Similarly, the image table 312 storesimage data associated with messages for which message data is stored inthe entity table 306. The entity table 306 may associate variousaugmentations from the augmentation table 310 with various images andvideos stored in the image table 312 and the video table 304.

The data structures 300 can also store training data for training one ormore machine learning techniques (models) to segment real-world objectsor items of real-world environment depicted in an image corresponding toa location (e.g., a room in a home). The training data can include aplurality of images and videos and their corresponding ground-truth roomsegmentations. The images and videos can include a mix of all sorts ofreal-world objects that can appear in different rooms in a home orhousehold. The one or more machine learning techniques can be trained toextract features of a received input image or video and establish arelationship between the extracted features and a segmentations. Oncetrained, the machine learning technique can receive a new image or videoand can compute a segmentation of items depicted in the newly receivedimage or video.

Data Communications Architecture

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a message 400,according to some examples, generated by a messaging client 104 forcommunication to a further messaging client 104 or the messaging server118. The content of a particular message 400 is used to populate themessage table 302 stored within the database 126, accessible by themessaging server 118. Similarly, the content of a message 400 is storedin memory as “in-transit” or “in-flight” data of the client device 102or the application servers 114. A message 400 is shown to include thefollowing example components:

-   -   message identifier 402: a unique identifier that identifies the        message 400.    -   message text payload 404: text, to be generated by a user via a        user interface of the client device 102, and that is included in        the message 400.    -   message image payload 406: image data, captured by a camera        component of a client device 102 or retrieved from a memory        component of a client device 102, and that is included in the        message 400. Image data for a sent or received message 400 may        be stored in the image table 312.    -   message video payload 408: video data, captured by a camera        component or retrieved from a memory component of the client        device 102, and that is included in the message 400. Video data        for a sent or received message 400 may be stored in the video        table 304.    -   message audio payload 410: audio data, captured by a microphone        or retrieved from a memory component of the client device 102,        and that is included in the message 400.    -   message augmentation data 412: augmentation data (e.g., filters,        stickers, or other annotations or enhancements) that represents        augmentations to be applied to message image payload 406,        message video payload 408, or    -   message audio payload 410 of the message 400. Augmentation data        412 for a sent or received message 400 may be stored in the        augmentation table 310.    -   message duration parameter 414: parameter value indicating, in        seconds, the amount of time for which content of the message        (e.g., the message image payload 406, message video payload 408,        message audio payload 410) is to be presented or made accessible        to a user via the messaging client 104.    -   message geolocation parameter 416: geolocation data (e.g.,        latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates) associated with the        content payload of the message. Multiple message geolocation        parameter 416 values may be included in the payload, each of        these parameter values being associated with respect to content        items included in the content (e.g., a specific image within the        message image payload 406, or a specific video in the message        video payload 408).    -   message story identifier 418: identifier values identifying one        or more content collections (e.g., “stories” identified in the        story table 314) with which a particular content item in the        message image payload 406 of the message 400 is associated. For        example, multiple images within the message image payload 406        may each be associated with multiple content collections using        identifier values.    -   message tag 420: each message 400 may be tagged with multiple        tags, each of which is indicative of the subject matter of        content included in the message payload. For example, where a        particular image included in the message image payload 406        depicts an animal (e.g., a lion), a tag value may be included        within the message tag 420 that is indicative of the relevant        animal. Tag values may be generated manually, based on user        input, or may be automatically generated using, for example,        image recognition.    -   message sender identifier 422: an identifier (e.g., a messaging        system identifier, email address, or device identifier)        indicative of a user of the client device 102 on which the        message 400 was generated and from which the message 400 was        sent.    -   message receiver identifier 424: an identifier (e.g., a        messaging system identifier, email address, or device        identifier) indicative of a user of the client device 102 to        which the message 400 is addressed.

The contents (e.g., values) of the various components of message 400 maybe pointers to locations in tables within which content data values arestored. For example, an image value in the message image payload 406 maybe a pointer to (or address of) a location within an image table 312.Similarly, values within the message video payload 408 may point to datastored within a video table 304, values stored within the messageaugmentation data 412 may point to data stored in an augmentation table310, values stored within the message story identifier 418 may point todata stored in a story table 314, and values stored within the messagesender identifier 422 and the message receiver identifier 424 may pointto user records stored within an entity table 306.

Conversation Obscuring System

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the conversation obscuringsystem 224, in accordance with some examples. The conversation obscuringsystem 224 can include a conversation access module 512, a conversationfocus state module 514, and an obscuring module 516.

In some examples, the conversation obscuring system 224 accesses aconversation interface of a messaging application on a web browser andpresents the conversation interface in a window associated with the webbrowser. The conversation interface can comprise a plurality ofconversation elements. The conversation obscuring system 224 accesses afocus status of the window and, in response to determining that thefocus status indicates that the window has lost focus, obscures a firstsubset of the plurality of conversation elements. In some cases, the webbrowser is implemented on a desktop computer.

In some examples, the conversation obscuring system 224 retrieves auniversal resource locator (URL) of the messaging application anddownloads a markup language document corresponding to the messagingapplication. The conversation obscuring system 224 processes the markuplanguage document by the web browser application to display theconversation interface on, for example, the desktop computer.

In some examples, the conversation obscuring system 224 modifies adisplay attribute of a second subset of the plurality of conversationelements, the second subset being different than the first subset. Insome examples, the focus status changes from being in focus to losingfocus in response to determining that a different window of the webbrowser is being viewed. In some examples, the focus status changes frombeing in focus to losing focus in response to detecting user interactionwith a portion of a display that excludes the window. In some examples,the focus status changes from being in focus to losing focus in responseto determining that the window has been minimized or has been obscuredby a different window. In some cases, the focus status is received fromthe web browser application.

In some examples, the plurality of conversation elements include a chatregion that includes one or more messages exchanged in a conversation, achat input region for enabling a user to compose a message, a presenceregion that indicates an activity state of each of a plurality offriends, a friends region that lists the plurality of friends with whomthe user has previously engaged in a conversation, and a phone callregion for placing a phone call to a given friend. In such cases, thefirst subset of the plurality of conversation elements includes the chatregion and the presence region. The conversation obscuring system 224modifies a display attribute of the chat input region, such as, byreducing an opacity of the chat input region by a specified amount(e.g., by 50 percent).

In some examples, the conversation obscuring system 224 obscures thefirst subset of the plurality of conversation elements by presenting anoverlay on top of a chat region that includes one or more messagesexchanged in a conversation. The overlay can include a message indictingthat a user of the web browser is no longer present. The overlay caninclude an avatar of the user or representing the conversation. In someexamples, in response to determining that the focus status of the windowhas been lost, the avatar of the user for whom the focus has been lostmay be removed from being presented to other users involved in theconversation. In some examples, in response to determining that thefocus status of the window has been lost, the presence status of theuser (presented to other users involved in the conversation) for whomthe focus has been lost may be updated to indicate that the user is nolonger present.

In some examples, the conversation obscuring system 224, after obscuringthe first subset of the plurality of conversation elements, determinesthat the focus status of the window is in focus. In such cases, theconversation obscuring system 224 detects an interaction with theconversation interface and reveals the first subset of the plurality ofconversation elements in response to detecting the interaction with theconversation interface.

In some examples, the conversation obscuring system 224 computes aduration between the focus status indicating that the window has lostfocus and the focus status being in focus. The conversation obscuringsystem 224 compares the duration to a threshold duration (e.g., 60seconds) and in response to determining that the duration transgresses(or exceeds) the threshold duration, presents an option to re-open theconversation interface. The first subset of the plurality ofconversation elements can be revealed in response to selection of theoption.

In some examples, the conversation access module 512 receives a requestfrom a client device 102 to access a conversation interface of themessaging client 104. The conversation access module 512 can detect thatthe request has been received from a particular type of client device102 (e.g., desktop computer) and/or from a particular type of softwareapplication (e.g., a web browser application). Namely, rather thanlaunching the messaging client 104 directly from an application thatruns on a mobile device that includes the code for executing themessaging client 104, the conversation access module 512 can enable auser to access content of the messaging client 104 via other types ofclient applications, such as web browsers.

In such cases, the conversation access module 512 provides a markuplanguage document to the web browser application. The markup languagedocument includes a visual display of a conversation interface thatmimics the display of the conversation interface on a native messagingapplication implemented on the mobile device. Specifically, theconversation interface that is presented on the web browser applicationby processing the markup language document may have the same look andfeel as the conversation interface accessed on the messaging client 104.In some cases, the conversation interface that is displayed byprocessing the markup language document differs from the conversationinterface that is presented on the mobile device when the messagingclient 104 is launched directly by executing the messaging client 104software on the mobile device.

The conversation access module 512 determines that the type of clientdevice 102 and/or software used to access the conversation interfacecorresponds to a specified type. In such cases, the conversation accessmodule 512 conditions the display of the conversation interfaceinformation (e.g., conversation elements) and the manner in which theinformation is displayed based on certain conditions. As an example, theconversation access module 512 conditions the display of theconversation interface information (e.g., conversation elements) and themanner in which the information is displayed based on a focus state ofthe client device 102 and/or the software application.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , a user interface display 600 of aconversation interface of the messaging client 104 is provided by a webbrowser application implemented by a desktop computer (or mobiledevice). The user interface display 600 includes a friends list region650, a presence region 610, a chat region 620, a chat input region 630,and a phone call region 640. The friends list region 650 displays a listof friends of a user of the client device 102 with which the user haspreviously exchanged at least one message or just generally displays alist of friends of the user on the messaging client 104. The userinterface display 600 can receive input that selects a given friend fromthe friends list region 650. In response, the user interface display 600displays in the chat region 620 a conversation including a list ofmessages previously exchanged with the given friend in a conversation.The chat region 620 may be blank if the user has not previouslyexchanged messages with the given friend that has been selected.

The user interface display 600 can receive input that selects the chatinput region 630. In response, the user interface display 600 monitorskeystrokes input by a physical keyboard and adds characterscorresponding to the keystrokes into the chat input region 630. Inresponse to receiving an ENTER key or other send option, the userinterface display 600 transmits the collected characters from the chatinput region 630 to the given friend associated with the conversation.For example, the user interface display 600 generates and adds a messageto the chat region 620 corresponding to the collected characters fordisplay in the conversation interface provided to the friends involvedin the conversation. In some examples, the user interface display 600receives input that selects a phone call region 640. In response, theuser interface display 600 establishes a voice and/or video call withthe given friend associated with the conversation being displayed in thechat region 620.

Referring back to FIG. 5 , the conversation access module 512communicates with the conversation focus state module 514 to monitor thefocus state of the conversation interface. Specifically, theconversation interface of the messaging client 104 can be displayed in agiven window or tab of the web browser application. The conversationfocus state module 514 accesses or monitors status information receivedfrom the web browser application to determine whether or when the windowor tab in which the conversation interface is displayed loses focus. Insome examples, the web browser application or client device 102 isinstructed to monitor the focus state of the conversation interface andto transmit a message or communication to the obscuring module 516and/or the conversation access module 512 when the focus state changes.

In some examples, the conversation focus state module 514 detects that anew window has been opened in the web browser application. For example,the conversation focus state module 514 accesses a local storage inwhich identifiers of browser windows are stored to determine whetheradditional browser windows have been added to the list since theconversation interface was initially loaded. In response, theconversation focus state module 514 determines that the focus of theconversation interface window has been lost. In such cases, theconversation focus state module 514 transmits a message or communicationto the conversation access module 512 and/or the obscuring module 516indicating that the focus of the conversation window has been lost.

In some examples, the conversation focus state module 514 detects a userinteraction with a portion of a display that excludes the window. Forexample, the conversation focus state module 514 determines that a mouseclick has been received in a region outside of the window in which theconversation interface has been received. As another example, theconversation focus state module 514 determines that a keystroke has beenrecorded and received by another window or application that differs fromthe window in which the conversation interface is displayed. Inresponse, the conversation focus state module 514 determines that thefocus of the conversation interface window has been lost. In such cases,the conversation focus state module 514 transmits a message orcommunication to the conversation access module 512 and/or the obscuringmodule 516 indicating that the focus of the conversation window has beenlost.

In some examples, the conversation focus state module 514 determinesthat the window in which the conversation interface is displayed hasbeen minimized or has been obscured by a different window. In response,the conversation focus state module 514 determines that the focus of theconversation interface window has been lost. In such cases, theconversation focus state module 514 transmits a message or communicationto the conversation access module 512 and/or the obscuring module 516indicating that the focus of the conversation window has been lost.

The obscuring module 516 selectively and conditionally obscures orrestricts certain features, functions, and/or conversation elements ofthe conversation interface (e.g., user interface display 600) from beingdisplayed and/or used in response to determining that the focus of theconversation window has been lost (e.g., based on the message receivedfrom the conversation focus state module 514). In some examples, theobscuring module 516 obscures a first portion or first subset ofconversation elements in response to determining that the focus of theconversation window has been lost and/or modifies a display attribute ofa second portion or second subset of conversation elements.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the obscuring module 516 generates aconversation interface display 700 in response to determining that thefocus of the conversation window has been lost. The obscuring module 516presents an overlay 710 on top of the entire chat region 620 in whichthe messages exchanged in a conversation are presented. This results inobscuring the messages exchanged in the conversation that are includedas part of the chat region 620. The overlay 710 can include anotification indicating that the user is no longer present (e.g.,informing the user about the window losing focus). The overlay 710 caninclude an avatar of the user and/or conversation. The overlay 710 caninclude a message informing the user to provide an interaction (e.g.,click a mouse or keyboard) anywhere in the window in which theconversation interface is displayed to regain focus and to display thecontents of the chat region 620.

In some examples, the obscuring module 516 modifies a display attributeof the chat input region 630 in response to determining that the focusof the conversation window has been lost. For example, the obscuringmodule 516 reduces or increases the opacity of the chat input region 630by a certain amount, such as by 50 percent. In such cases, the obscuringmodule 516 causes display of a message in the chat input region 630informing the user to input text or send a chat is reduced or increasedin opacity to be less or more visible. In some examples, the obscuringmodule 516 removes or obscures the presence region 610 which indicatesthe current focus, location, or activity status of each friend listed inthe list of friends region 740 or the friend that is part of theconversation of the chat region 620.

In some examples, the obscuring module 516 receives a message ornotification indicating that the focus of the conversation interfacedisplay has been regained. Namely, the conversation focus state module514 can continuously or periodically monitor the focus state of thedisplay of the conversation interface to determine when focus has beenlost and when focus has been regained. The conversation focus statemodule 514 can determine that focus has been regained when the window inwhich the conversation interface is displayed has been selected, such asby a mouse, and/or when the window or tab to which the user has shiftedfocus has been closed and/or when another window that overlaps thewindow in which the conversation interface is displayed has been closedor no longer overlaps the window of the conversation interface. In suchcases, the conversation focus state module 514 can compute a differencein time between the time when the focus has been lost and when the focushas been regained. The conversation focus state module 514 can comparethat difference to a threshold difference (e.g., 60 seconds). Theconversation focus state module 514 can instruct the obscuring module516 to perform a first function if the difference is below the thresholdand to perform a second function if the difference exceeds ortransgresses the threshold.

For example, after determining that the focus of the conversationinterface window has been regained (e.g., after being lost), theobscuring module 516 removes the obstructions to reveal the content ofthe chat region 620 and undo the modifications to the display attributesto re-display the user interface display 600 (FIG. 6 ). The obscuringmodule 516 may continue to present the conversation interface with theobstructions (e.g., display 700) even after determining that the focushas been regained. The obscuring module 516 may only remove theobstructions and undo the modifications in response to detecting a userinteraction (e.g., a mouse click or keystroke) within the window thatdisplays the conversation interface. In some cases, the obscuring module516 can present a prompt requesting that the user re-open theconversation interface in response to determining that the focus hasbeen lost for more than the threshold amount of time (e.g., 60 seconds).

Namely, the obscuring module 516 can present a prompt with an optionrequesting that the user re-open the conversation interface in responseto determining that the difference in time between the time when thefocus has been lost and when the focus has been regained transgressesthe threshold. In such cases, a simple keystroke or mouse click withinthe window that displays the conversation interface may not besufficient to reveal the content of the chat region 620 and undo themodifications to the display attributes to re-display the user interfacedisplay 600 (FIG. 6 ). Specifically, in such cases, the obscuring module516 may only reveal the content of the chat region 620 and undo themodifications to the display attributes to re-display the user interfacedisplay 600 (FIG. 6 ) in response to determining that the conversationinterface has been reopened (e.g., after the user logs back into themessaging client 104). In some cases, the conversation interface mayneed to be opened in a new window or tab to reveal the content of thechat region 620 and undo the modifications to the display attributes tore-display the user interface display 600 (FIG. 6 ) if the difference intime between the time when the focus has been lost and when the focushas been regained transgresses the threshold (e.g., 60 seconds).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process 800, in accordance with someexamples. Although the flowchart can describe the operations as asequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallelor concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may bere-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed.A process may correspond to a method, a procedure, and the like. Thesteps of methods may be performed in whole or in part, may be performedin conjunction with some or all of the steps in other methods, and maybe performed by any number of different systems or any portion thereof,such as a processor included in any of the systems.

At operation 801, a client device 102 accesses a conversation interfaceof a messaging application on a web browser, as discussed above.

At operation 802, the client device 102 presents the conversationinterface in a window associated with the web browser, the conversationinterface comprising a plurality of conversation elements, as discussedabove.

At operation 803, the client device 102 accesses a focus status of thewindow, as discussed above.

At operation 804, the client device 102, in response to determining thatthe focus status indicates that the window has lost focus, obscures afirst subset of the plurality of conversation elements, as discussedabove.

Machine Architecture

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the machine 900 within whichinstructions 908 (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet,an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine 900 to performany one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed.For example, the instructions 908 may cause the machine 900 to executeany one or more of the methods described herein. The instructions 908transform the general, non-programmed machine 900 into a particularmachine 900 programmed to carry out the described and illustratedfunctions in the manner described. The machine 900 may operate as astandalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines.In a networked deployment, the machine 900 may operate in the capacityof a server machine or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine 900 may comprise, but not be limitedto, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), atablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an entertainment media system, acellular telephone, a smartphone, a mobile device, a wearable device(e.g., a smartwatch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance),other smart devices, a web appliance, a network router, a networkswitch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing theinstructions 908, sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to betaken by the machine 900. Further, while only a single machine 900 isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include acollection of machines that individually or jointly execute theinstructions 908 to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein. The machine 900, for example, may comprise the clientdevice 102 or any one of a number of server devices forming part of themessaging server system 108. In some examples, the machine 900 may alsocomprise both client and server systems, with certain operations of aparticular method or algorithm being performed on the server-side andwith certain operations of the particular method or algorithm beingperformed on the client-side.

The machine 900 may include processors 902, memory 904, and input/output(I/O) components 938, which may be configured to communicate with eachother via a bus 940. In an example, the processors 902 (e.g., a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC)Processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) Processor, aGraphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio-FrequencyIntegrated Circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitablecombination thereof) may include, for example, a processor 906 and aprocessor 910 that execute the instructions 908. The term “processor” isintended to include multi-core processors that may comprise two or moreindependent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that mayexecute instructions contemporaneously. Although FIG. 9 shows multipleprocessors 902, the machine 900 may include a single processor with asingle-core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-coreprocessor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processorswith multiples cores, or any combination thereof.

The memory 904 includes a main memory 912, a static memory 914, and astorage unit 916, all accessible to the processors 902 via the bus 940.The main memory 904, the static memory 914, and the storage unit 916store the instructions 908 embodying any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 908 mayalso reside, completely or partially, within the main memory 912, withinthe static memory 914, within a machine-readable medium within thestorage unit 916, within at least one of the processors 902 (e.g.,within the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combinationthereof, during execution thereof by the machine 900.

The I/O components 938 may include a wide variety of components toreceive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information,exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/Ocomponents 938 that are included in a particular machine will depend onthe type of machine. For example, portable machines such as mobilephones may include a touch input device or other such input mechanisms,while a headless server machine will likely not include such a touchinput device. It will be appreciated that the I/O components 938 mayinclude many other components that are not shown in FIG. 9 . In variousexamples, the I/O components 938 may include user output components 924and user input components 926. The user output components 924 mayinclude visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasma displaypanel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), acousticcomponents (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., a vibratory motor,resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and so forth. The userinput components 926 may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., akeyboard, a touch screen configured to receive alphanumeric input, aphoto-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric input components),point-based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, ajoystick, a motion sensor, or another pointing instrument), tactileinput components (e.g., a physical button, a touch screen that provideslocation and force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactile inputcomponents), audio input components (e.g., a microphone), and the like.

In further examples, the I/O components 938 may include biometriccomponents 928, motion components 930, environmental components 932, orposition components 934, among a wide array of other components. Forexample, the biometric components 928 include components to detectexpressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocalexpressions, body gestures, or eye-tracking), measure biosignals (e.g.,blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brainwaves), identify a person (e.g., voice identification, retinalidentification, facial identification, fingerprint identification, orelectroencephalogram-based identification), and the like. The motioncomponents 930 include acceleration sensor components (e.g.,accelerometer), gravitation sensor components, and rotation sensorcomponents (e.g., gyroscope).

The environmental components 932 include, for example, one or morecameras (with still image/photograph and video capabilities),illumination sensor components (e.g., photometer), temperature sensorcomponents (e.g., one or more thermometers that detect ambienttemperature), humidity sensor components, pressure sensor components(e.g., barometer), acoustic sensor components (e.g., one or moremicrophones that detect background noise), proximity sensor components(e.g., infrared sensors that detect nearby objects), gas sensors (e.g.,gas detection sensors to detection concentrations of hazardous gases forsafety or to measure pollutants in the atmosphere), or other componentsthat may provide indications, measurements, or signals corresponding toa surrounding physical environment.

With respect to cameras, the client device 102 may have a camera systemcomprising, for example, front cameras on a front surface of the clientdevice 102 and rear cameras on a rear surface of the client device 102.The front cameras may, for example, be used to capture still images andvideo of a user of the client device 102 (e.g., “selfies”), which maythen be augmented with augmentation data (e.g., filters) describedabove. The rear cameras may, for example, be used to capture stillimages and videos in a more traditional camera mode, with these imagessimilarly being augmented with augmentation data. In addition to frontand rear cameras, the client device 102 may also include a 360° camerafor capturing 360° photographs and videos.

Further, the camera system of a client device 102 may include dual rearcameras (e.g., a primary camera as well as a depth-sensing camera), oreven triple, quad, or penta rear camera configurations on the front andrear sides of the client device 102. These multiple cameras systems mayinclude a wide camera, an ultra-wide camera, a telephoto camera, a macrocamera, and a depth sensor, for example.

The position components 934 include location sensor components (e.g., aGPS receiver component), altitude sensor components (e.g., altimeters orbarometers that detect air pressure from which altitude may be derived),orientation sensor components (e.g., magnetometers), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies.The I/O components 938 further include communication components 936operable to couple the machine 900 to a network 920 or devices 922 viarespective coupling or connections. For example, the communicationcomponents 936 may include a network interface component or anothersuitable device to interface with the network 920. In further examples,the communication components 936 may include wired communicationcomponents, wireless communication components, cellular communicationcomponents, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth®components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), WiFi® components, and othercommunication components to provide communication via other modalities.The devices 922 may be another machine or any of a wide variety ofperipheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB).

Moreover, the communication components 936 may detect identifiers orinclude components operable to detect identifiers. For example, thecommunication components 936 may include Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) tag reader components, NFC smart tag detection components,optical reader components (e.g., an optical sensor to detectone-dimensional bar codes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code,multi-dimensional bar codes such as Quick Response (QR) code, Azteccode, Data Matrix, Dataglyph, MaxiCode, PDF417, Ultra Code, UCC RSS-2Dbar code, and other optical codes), or acoustic detection components(e.g., microphones to identify tagged audio signals). In addition, avariety of information may be derived via the communication components936, such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation, locationvia Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, location via detecting an NFC beaconsignal that may indicate a particular location, and so forth.

The various memories (e.g., main memory 912, static memory 914, andmemory of the processors 902) and storage unit 916 may store one or moresets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software) embodying orused by any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein. These instructions (e.g., the instructions 908), when executedby processors 902, cause various operations to implement the disclosedexamples.

The instructions 908 may be transmitted or received over the network920, using a transmission medium, via a network interface device (e.g.,a network interface component included in the communication components936) and using any one of several well-known transfer protocols (e.g.,HTTP). Similarly, the instructions 908 may be transmitted or receivedusing a transmission medium via a coupling (e.g., a peer-to-peercoupling) to the devices 922.

Software Architecture

FIG. 10 is a block diagram 1000 illustrating a software architecture1004, which can be installed on any one or more of the devices describedherein. The software architecture 1004 is supported by hardware such asa machine 1002 that includes processors 1020, memory 1026, and I/Ocomponents 1038. In this example, the software architecture 1004 can beconceptualized as a stack of layers, where each layer provides aparticular functionality. The software architecture 1004 includes layerssuch as an operating system 1012, libraries 1010, frameworks 1008, andapplications 1006. Operationally, the applications 1006 invoke API calls1050 through the software stack and receive messages 1052 in response tothe API calls 1050.

The operating system 1012 manages hardware resources and provides commonservices. The operating system 1012 includes, for example, a kernel1014, services 1016, and drivers 1022. The kernel 1014 acts as anabstraction layer between the hardware and the other software layers.For example, the kernel 1014 provides memory management, processormanagement (e.g., scheduling), component management, networking, andsecurity settings, among other functionality. The services 1016 canprovide other common services for the other software layers. The drivers1022 are responsible for controlling or interfacing with the underlyinghardware. For instance, the drivers 1022 can include display drivers,camera drivers, BLUETOOTH® or BLUETOOTH® Low Energy drivers, flashmemory drivers, serial communication drivers (e.g., USB drivers), WI-FI®drivers, audio drivers, power management drivers, and so forth.

The libraries 1010 provide a common low-level infrastructure used by theapplications 1006. The libraries 1010 can include system libraries 1018(e.g., C standard library) that provide functions such as memoryallocation functions, string manipulation functions, mathematicfunctions, and the like. In addition, the libraries 1010 can include APIlibraries 1024 such as media libraries (e.g., libraries to supportpresentation and manipulation of various media formats such as MovingPicture Experts Group-4 (MPEG4), Advanced Video Coding (H.264 or AVC),Moving Picture Experts Group Layer-3 (MP3), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC),Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) audio codec, Joint Photographic Experts Group(JPEG or JPG), or Portable Network Graphics (PNG)), graphics libraries(e.g., an OpenGL framework used to render in 2D and 3D in a graphiccontent on a display), database libraries (e.g., SQLite to providevarious relational database functions), web libraries (e.g., WebKit toprovide web browsing functionality), and the like. The libraries 1010can also include a wide variety of other libraries 1028 to provide manyother APIs to the applications 1006.

The frameworks 1008 provide a common high-level infrastructure that isused by the applications 1006. For example, the frameworks 1008 providevarious GUI functions, high-level resource management, and high-levellocation services. The frameworks 1008 can provide a broad spectrum ofother APIs that can be used by the applications 1006, some of which maybe specific to a particular operating system or platform.

In an example, the applications 1006 may include a home application1036, a contacts application 1030, a browser application 1032, a bookreader application 1034, a location application 1042, a mediaapplication 1044, a messaging application 1046, a game application 1048,and a broad assortment of other applications such as an externalapplication 1040. The applications 1006 are programs that executefunctions defined in the programs. Various programming languages can beemployed to create one or more of the applications 1006, structured in avariety of manners, such as object-oriented programming languages (e.g.,Objective-C, Java, or C++) or procedural programming languages (e.g., Cor assembly language). In a specific example, the external application1040 (e.g., an application developed using the ANDROID™ or IOS™ SDK byan entity other than the vendor of the particular platform) may bemobile software running on a mobile operating system such as IOS™,ANDROID™, WINDOWS® Phone, or another mobile operating system. In thisexample, the external application 1040 can invoke the API calls 1050provided by the operating system 1012 to facilitate functionalitydescribed herein.

Glossary

“Carrier signal” refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by themachine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of such instructions.Instructions may be transmitted or received over a network using atransmission medium via a network interface device.

“Client device” refers to any machine that interfaces to acommunications network to obtain resources from one or more serversystems or other client devices. A client device may be, but is notlimited to, a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, PDAs, smartphones,tablets, ultrabooks, netbooks, laptops, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, gameconsoles, set-top boxes, or any other communication device that a usermay use to access a network.

“Communication network” refers to one or more portions of a network thatmay be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a widearea network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), the Internet, a portion of the Internet, a portion of the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephone service (POTS)network, a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi®network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more suchnetworks. For example, a network or a portion of a network may include awireless or cellular network and the coupling may be a Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) connection, or other types of cellular or wirelesscoupling. In this example, the coupling may implement any of a varietyof types of data transfer technology, such as Single Carrier RadioTransmission Technology (1×RTT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO)technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth generation wireless (4G)networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High SpeedPacket Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, others defined by variousstandard-setting organizations, other long-range protocols, or otherdata transfer technology.

“Component” refers to a device, physical entity, or logic havingboundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, APIs,or other technologies that provide for the partitioning ormodularization of particular processing or control functions. Componentsmay be combined via their interfaces with other components to carry outa machine process. A component may be a packaged functional hardwareunit designed for use with other components and a part of a program thatusually performs a particular function of related functions.

Components may constitute either software components (e.g., codeembodied on a machine-readable medium) or hardware components. A“hardware component” is a tangible unit capable of performing certainoperations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physicalmanner. In various examples, one or more computer systems (e.g., astandalone computer system, a client computer system, or a servercomputer system) or one or more hardware components of a computer system(e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured bysoftware (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardwarecomponent that operates to perform certain operations as describedherein.

A hardware component may also be implemented mechanically,electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, ahardware component may include dedicated circuitry or logic that ispermanently configured to perform certain operations. A hardwarecomponent may be a special-purpose processor, such as afield-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware componentmay also include programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarilyconfigured by software to perform certain operations. For example, ahardware component may include software executed by a general-purposeprocessor or other programmable processor. Once configured by suchsoftware, hardware components become specific machines (or specificcomponents of a machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configuredfunctions and are no longer general-purpose processors. It will beappreciated that the decision to implement a hardware componentmechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software), may bedriven by cost and time considerations. Accordingly, the phrase“hardware component” (or “hardware-implemented component”) should beunderstood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that isphysically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), ortemporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manneror to perform certain operations described herein.

Considering examples in which hardware components are temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware components need notbe configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example,where a hardware component comprises a general-purpose processorconfigured by software to become a special-purpose processor, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respectively differentspecial-purpose processors (e.g., comprising different hardwarecomponents) at different times. Software accordingly configures aparticular processor or processors, for example, to constitute aparticular hardware component at one instance of time and to constitutea different hardware component at a different instance of time.

Hardware components can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware components. Accordingly, the described hardwarecomponents may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Wheremultiple hardware components exist contemporaneously, communications maybe achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses) between or among two or more of the hardware components. Inexamples in which multiple hardware components are configured orinstantiated at different times, communications between such hardwarecomponents may be achieved, for example, through the storage andretrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiplehardware components have access. For example, one hardware component mayperform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memorydevice to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardwarecomponent may then, at a later time, access the memory device toretrieve and process the stored output. Hardware components may alsoinitiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate ona resource (e.g., a collection of information).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implementedcomponents that operate to perform one or more operations or functionsdescribed herein. As used herein, “processor-implemented component”refers to a hardware component implemented using one or more processors.Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors 902 orprocessor-implemented components. Moreover, the one or more processorsmay also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a“cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an API). The performance ofcertain of the operations may be distributed among the processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some examples, the processors or processor-implementedcomponents may be located in a single geographic location (e.g., withina home environment, an office environment, or a server farm). In otherexamples, the processors or processor-implemented components may bedistributed across a number of geographic locations.

“Computer-readable storage medium” refers to both machine-storage mediaand transmission media. Thus, the terms include both storagedevices/media and carrier waves/modulated data signals. The terms“machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable medium,” and“device-readable medium” mean the same thing and may be usedinterchangeably in this disclosure.

“Ephemeral message” refers to a message that is accessible for atime-limited duration. An ephemeral message may be a text, an image, avideo, and the like. The access time for the ephemeral message may beset by the message sender. Alternatively, the access time may be adefault setting or a setting specified by the recipient. Regardless ofthe setting technique, the message is transitory.

“Machine storage medium” refers to a single or multiple storage devicesand media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and associatedcaches and servers) that store executable instructions, routines anddata. The term shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limitedto, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media, includingmemory internal or external to processors. Specific examples ofmachine-storage media, computer-storage media and device-storage mediainclude non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductormemory devices, e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FPGA, andflash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks andremovable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks Theterms “machine-storage medium,” “device-storage medium,” and“computer-storage medium” mean the same thing and may be usedinterchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “machine-storage media,”“computer-storage media,” and “device-storage media” specificallyexclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, and other such media, atleast some of which are covered under the term “signal medium.”

“Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” refers to a tangiblemedium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying theinstructions for execution by a machine.

“Signal medium” refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying the instructions for execution by amachine and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of software or data. Theterm “signal medium” shall be taken to include any form of a modulateddata signal, carrier wave, and so forth. The term “modulated datasignal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics setor changed in such a matter as to encode information in the signal. Theterms “transmission medium” and “signal medium” mean the same thing andmay be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

Changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed examples withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. These and otherchanges or modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe present disclosure, as expressed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: accessing a conversationinterface of a messaging application on a web browser; presenting theconversation interface in a window associated with the web browser, theconversation interface comprising a plurality of conversation elements;accessing a focus status of the window; and in response to determiningthat the focus status indicates that the window has lost focus,obscuring a first subset of the plurality of conversation elements. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the web browser is implemented on adesktop computer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessingcomprises: retrieving a universal resource locator (URL) of themessaging application; downloading a markup language documentcorresponding to the messaging application; and processing the markuplanguage document by the web browser to display the conversationinterface.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying adisplay attribute of a second subset of the plurality of conversationelements, the second subset being different than the first subset. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the focus status changes from being infocus to losing focus in response to determining that a different windowof the web browser is being viewed.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe focus status changes from being in focus to losing focus in responseto detecting user interaction with a portion of a display that excludesthe window.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the focus status changesfrom being in focus to losing focus in response to determining that thewindow has been minimized or has been obscured by a different window. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein the focus status is received from the webbrowser.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conversationelements include a chat region that includes one or more messagesexchanged in a conversation, a chat input region for enabling a user tocompose a message, a presence region that indicates an activity state ofeach of a plurality of friends, a friends region that lists theplurality of friends with whom the user has previously engaged in aconversation, and a phone call region for placing a phone call to agiven friend.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first subset of theplurality of conversation elements includes the chat region and thepresence region.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingmodifying a display attribute of the chat input region.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein modifying the display attribute comprises reducingan opacity of the chat input region by a specified amount.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein obscuring the first subset of the pluralityof conversation elements comprises presenting an overlay on top of achat region that includes one or more messages exchanged in aconversation, the overlay comprising a message indicting that a user ofthe web browser is no longer present.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the overlay comprises an avatar of the user.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising: after obscuring the first subset of theplurality of conversation elements, determining that the focus status ofthe window is in focus; in response to determining that the focus statusof the window is in focus, detecting an interaction with theconversation interface; and revealing the first subset of the pluralityof conversation elements in response to detecting the interaction withthe conversation interface.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: computing a duration between the focus status indicatingthat the window has lost focus and the focus status being in focus;comparing the duration to a threshold duration; and in response todetermining that the duration transgresses the threshold duration,presenting an option to re-open the conversation interface, wherein thefirst subset of the plurality of conversation elements is revealed inresponse to selection of the option.
 17. A system comprising: aprocessor configured to perform operations comprising: accessing aconversation interface of a messaging application on a web browser;presenting the conversation interface in a window associated with theweb browser, the conversation interface comprising a plurality ofconversation elements; accessing a focus status of the window; and inresponse to determining that the focus status indicates that the windowhas lost focus, obscuring a first subset of the plurality ofconversation elements.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the webbrowser is implemented on a desktop computer.
 19. The system of claim17, wherein the accessing comprises: retrieving a universal resourcelocator (URL) of the messaging application; downloading a markuplanguage document corresponding to the messaging application; andprocessing the markup language document by the web browser to displaythe conversation interface.
 20. A non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium that includes instructions that, when executed by one ormore processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operationscomprising: accessing a conversation interface of a messagingapplication on a web browser; presenting the conversation interface in awindow associated with the web browser, the conversation interfacecomprising a plurality of conversation elements; accessing a focusstatus of the window; and in response to determining that the focusstatus indicates that the window has lost focus, obscuring a firstsubset of the plurality of conversation elements.